June 2013 – Man of Steel hits cinemas

Warner Bros.

When the idea of a Superman Returns sequel falls into development hell, the man in red pants is completely rebooted in 2013 for Zack Snyder's Man of Steel. Cavill takes the lead alongside an all-star cast of Michael Shannon, Amy Adams and Laurence Fishburne.

Despite a mixed critical response, Snyder gets off to a flying start (worldwide gross: $668m) and put the wheels in motion for the DCEU. If only it was all that easy.

April 2015 – Michelle McLaren leaves Wonder Woman

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for DIFF

It makes sense that a woman would direct Wonder Woman, but Patty Jenkins isn't the studio's first choice.

June 2015 – Jared Leto's Joker gifts

Taking Heath Ledger's idea of method acting a step further, Leto terrorises his co-stars and even sends Margot Robbie a live rat. Couple this with David Ayer's rushed script for Suicide Squad and the movie's box office pummelling, and the DCEU hasn't exactly rushed to bring Leto back.

September 2015 – Zack Snyder slams the MCU

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Getty ImagesKevin Mazur

The DCEU and Marvel Cinematic Universe are two different beasts aiming at two different audiences. However, whether fans prefer the candy-coated Chris trifecta (Evans, Hemsworth, Pratt) or opt for the brooding Batfleck, there shouldn't be any bad blood.

April 2016-October 2016 – The Flash loses TWO directors

Warner Bros.

If only the road to The Flash movie were as quick as the Scarlet Speedster himself. Although a standalone for Ezra Miller's Barry Allen is apparently coming in 2020, The Flash has been struggling to get off the starting blocks since 2015.

Seth Grahame-Smith was originally attached but drops out to be replaced by Dope's Rick Famuyiwa – albeit for just four months. Both men cite "creative differences" for their departures and leave The Flash bogged down in name changes and rewrites ever since.

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January 2017 – Batfleck is on his way out

Warner Bros.

It's ridiculous to think a question mark has hung over Ben Affleck's role in the DCEU for so long. Announcing that he is stepping down as director of The Batman in January 2017, the man behind the cape and cowl has continued to fuel rumours of his Worlds of DC departure.

Joss Whedon takes over to finish the job and the end result is a mishmash of storylines that is likened by some to two separate movies. Some are still petitioning for a Snyder Cut but it looks like audiences are stuck with the 'Snedon' hybrid.

August 2017 – Patty Jenkins and James Cameron go to war

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While Wonder Woman is a runaway success (PHEW!), Jenkins' movie isn't for everyone. One of her biggest critics is Titanic and Avatar director James Cameron.

Christopher McQuarrie later admits he didn't need Cavill's Agent Walker to have a moustache, which is an even bigger burn considering Warner Bros shell out a reported $3 million to digitally remove the lip liner from Justice League's theatrical cut – and badly at that.

February 2018 – Joss Whedon leaves Batgirl

Getty ImagesJustin Lubin

Despite the critical panning of Justice League (to put it politely), Warner Bros still seem to have faith in Joss Whedon to direct Batgirl.

September 2018 – Henry Cavill waves goodbye?

BBC

Which brings us neatly to wherever the tatters of the Worlds of DC currently stand. Hoping to redeem itself after Justice League, the future of the franchise is now up in the air as Henry Cavill has reportedly hung up his cape and tights.

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